New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) Tribal Affairs Minister V.Kishore Chandra Deo Friday indicated that the Jarawa tribes people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands could be gradually exposed to modern culture.

Talking to reporters in the national capital, the minister said it was “unfair” to let the Jarawas live in “beastly” conditions.

“There are two extreme views, one says they should be left in isolation, the other says they should be allowed to mordernise,” Deo said.

“It is unfair to leave them to live in a beastly atmosphere, but at the same time they should not be exposed to modern culture suddenly. The change has to be very gradual, not something that can be done in haste,” he said.

The minister was reacting on the developments after a British newspaper website uploaded a footage of half-naked Jarawa women dancing for tourists.

A major uproar was created over the footage, which is a violation of law meant for protecting the tribals.

Government policy announced in 2004 says that the Jarawas would be allowed to choose their own future, and that outside intervention in their lives would be kept to the minimum.

“It is basically a law and order issue and the home ministry is looking into it. Once the culprits are apprehended steps will be taken,” Deo said.

He also said that the tape has been sent to laboratory for testing to see how old it is.

The minister, however, added that “whether it happened yesterday or ten years back, it should not have happened.”